White House Summit: Can the Feb 10 Meeting End the Crypto-Bank Standoff?

The White House will host a major summit on February 10, 2026, bringing together crypto executives and banking leaders for a crucial...

Quick overview

  • The White House will host a summit on February 10, 2026, to address the legislative deadlock surrounding the U.S. crypto market bill.
  • Key issues to be discussed include liquidity risks, regulatory jurisdiction, reserve standards, and consumer protections for digital assets.
  • Recent market volatility, including a significant drop in Bitcoin prices, has heightened the urgency for regulatory clarity in the crypto space.
  • If progress is made at the summit, the bill could advance to a Senate vote by early spring, otherwise the U.S. may lag behind other regions in financial innovation.

The White House will host a major summit on February 10, 2026, bringing together crypto executives and banking leaders for a crucial round of negotiations. The goal is to resolve the legislative deadlock that has stalled the U.S. crypto market bill, while digital assets continue to struggle with a sharp market downturn.

After the Senate Banking Committee postponed a key vote last month because of limited bipartisan support, the Biden administration is now stepping in to help resolve a dispute between traditional finance and the digital asset industry.

The Stablecoin Standoff: Interest vs. Security

The main obstacle to passing the CLARITY Act, which would create a federal framework for stablecoins, is a strong disagreement over rewards and interest.

  • The Banking Perspective: Major banking groups, such as the ABA and BPI, say that if stablecoin issuers can offer interest-like rewards, it could cause a large shift of deposits. Banks worry that as much as $6.6 trillion in traditional deposits could move to higher-yield digital assets, reducing the funds available for local loans and mortgages.
  • The Crypto Perspective: Companies like Coinbase argue that rewards are important for competition and transparency. They say the GENIUS Act already set rules for issuers, and claim that banks are just trying to close a loophole to limit competition and protect their profits.

Key Policy Disagreements on the Table

People who attended a closed-door session earlier this week described the mood as ‘constructive but rigid.’ For the bill to move forward, the February 10 meeting needs to address four main issues:

  1. Liquidity Risks: Determining if stablecoin yields pose a systemic threat to bank liquidity.
  2. Regulatory Jurisdiction: Finalizing the “bright line” between the SEC and CFTC to end regulation-by-enforcement.
  3. Reserve Standards: Solidifying the 1:1 high-quality liquid asset (HQLA) backing requirement for all payment stablecoins.
  4. Consumer Protections: Implementing federal insurance or equivalent safeguards for digital asset holders.

Market Volatility Raises the Stakes for Regulation

Recent market chaos is adding urgency in Washington. Bitcoin (BTC) fell below $64,000 and nearly hit the $60,000 support level. This 12% drop, the biggest since the FTX collapse, erased more than $1 trillion from the total crypto market cap in just a month.

The lack of clear laws is making the situation worse. “Regulatory clarity isn’t just a legal necessity; it’s a market stabilizer,” says one senior analyst. “Institutional investors are sitting on the sidelines until they know the rules of the road.”

What to Expect on February 10

The White House Crypto Council has reportedly told both sides to identify their main concerns and reach a compromise by the end of February. One possible solution is for community banks to serve as regulated reserve holders for stablecoin issuers, combining the technical skills of crypto companies with the compliance systems of traditional banks.

If Senator John Boozman and other important lawmakers see progress at the summit, the bill could move quickly to a Senate vote by early spring. If not, the U.S. may stay stuck in ‘legislative limbo’ while places like the EU (under MiCA) move ahead in financial innovation.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR See More
Arslan Butt
Lead Markets Analyst – Multi-Asset (FX, Commodities, Crypto)
Arslan Butt serves as the Lead Commodities and Indices Analyst, bringing a wealth of expertise to the field. With an MBA in Behavioral Finance and active progress towards a Ph.D., Arslan possesses a deep understanding of market dynamics. His professional journey includes a significant role as a senior analyst at a leading brokerage firm, complementing his extensive experience as a market analyst and day trader. Adept in educating others, Arslan has a commendable track record as an instructor and public speaker. His incisive analyses, particularly within the realms of cryptocurrency and forex markets, are showcased across esteemed financial publications such as ForexCrunch, InsideBitcoins, and EconomyWatch, solidifying his reputation in the financial community.

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